Bristol Unibus U1 service

The Bristol Unibus U1 service is a dedicated and frequent bus service that links the North Residential Village with our Cifton campus and Bristol city centre.

A bus pass for this service is included in the accommodation fees for students living in undergraduate and mixed undergraduate-postgraduate University accommodation. 

The bus pass gives you unlimited travel on the U1 service for the 2023/24 academic year (term time only) as well as free travel on First Bus services 3, 4 and 72 (throughout the academic year until 10 June 2024).  

The Bristol Unibus U1 service commences on Monday 18 September 2023. For the route map and bus times, visit the Bristol Unibus U1 webpage.

The Bristol Unibus U1 bus pass is not included in the accommodation fees for students living in postgraduate-only University accommodation.

The Bristol Unibus U1 service does not link to the Langford campus. The bus service to Langford is the Bristol Unibus U2 service, for which information can be found on the Bristol Unibus U2 webpage.

How to download your Bristol Unibus U1 bus pass

Instructions about how to download your Bristol Unibus U1 bus pass will be sent to you in an email on 11 September 2023. 

You will be given a unique voucher code which you will need to redeem your Bristol Unibus U1 bus pass. 

You will be asked to download the First Bus app onto your phone (search First Bus in your App Store).

If you have any issues redeeming your unique voucher code, please contact Student Services. 

Upgrade to Bristol Zone bus ticket for just £99

With this option you get unlimited travel on all First Bus services in the Bristol zone (excluding special event and airport flyer services).

To upgrade, select University of Bristol, then Uni Year (Bristol Zone) (£430) in the First Bus app and use your unique voucher code at checkout to buy it for just £99.

If you have already used your unique voucher code to get the U1 pass, the upgrade offer is still available until 31 January 2024 by contacting First Customer Support using this specific webform.

Cycling 

Student car parking permit

We recommend that you don't bring a car to Bristol unless it is essential, for example because of a disability. 

If you need to bring a car, you must have successfully applied for a student car parking permit.

It is important to note that student car parking and permits are extremely limited.

Car parking facilities and permits are available in select residences in the North and West Residential Villages. There are no car parking facilities available in the East Residential Village. 

When allocating student car parking permits, priority will be given to students who:

• are a Blue Badge holder (mobility impairment); 
• have a disability or ill health that means they need the use of a car; 
• have caring responsibilities that cannot be performed without a car; and 
• have an academic placement for their course that can only be reached by car.

Types of student car parking permits and costs

Listed in the table are the types of student car parking permits you can apply for, and the residences which have car parking facilities. 

If you are a Blue Badge permit holder, you will receive your permit free of charge.

Annual permits will be valid after the main arrivals dates of 15 to 18 September 2023, as all the car parking spaces will be used for students who are moving in.

How to apply for a student car parking permit

New students moving into University accommodation can apply for a student parking permit from 4 September 2023. Applications will remain open throughout the academic year.  

To apply for a student car parking permit, you must:

1. Register for a student account with PermitSmarti.
2. Complete the the relevant online form for the permit you are applying for. You will be asked to provide evidence to support your application, for example, a copy of your tenancy agreement or University accommodation invoice.
3. You will then be notified by email within 48 hours if your application has been successful. You will be asked to pay for the permit you require. 

All permits issued are virtual so you do not need to display anything in your car.